Are you unemployed? Do you want to break into a new field? Where do you start your job search? A successful job search starts with a strategy; a plan with defined tasks that will help you achieve your goal. Your first step: Take time to look at what motivates and ...
In 2018 West Michigan Works! (WMW) helped 44,890 job seekers, served 3,193 employers and filled 10,463 jobs. This work isn’t done in isolation; it’s accomplished through partnerships with employers, training providers, educators and community organizations. Each December, we look back over the year and recognizes a few of its key ...
There are many moving parts to a job search: research, networking, writing, applying, following up. The list goes on and on. It’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here are five easy, yet important tasks that are easily forgotten: Consider job search your job. Set a daily schedule. Wake up at the ...
It’s no secret the health care industry is growing quickly; there are more open positions than people to fill them. This is great news if you’re looking to jump into a career in health care. Some jobs in the industry require a lot of training: physician, nurse and surgeon. But, ...
Back L to R: Riley Frens, Nick Borgman, Sam Sandee, Gordy Bacheller. Front L to R: Laurie Trestrail, Kelle Bergers, Andrea Gafford On Monday, November 12, West Michigan Works! recognized seven area service workers with 2018 Beverly A. Drake Essential Service Awards for their integrity, commitment, and passion in their ...
Davidson Plyforms is the largest curved plywood manufacturer in North America. They make wood furniture pieces for customers like Haworth, Steelcase and Herman Miller. Their products are used daily around the world in offices, hospitals, schools and homes. There is no typical day at Davidson Plyforms because their jobs are ...
Muskegon Recovery Center is part of the Cherry Health system, which offers health services to individuals who have little or no access to health care. The Recovery Center provides medication assisted treatment, as well as group therapy and support services, for individuals addicted to opiates. MRC currently has a long ...
To increase Michigan’s talent in Professional Trades and apprenticeships, the state’s Talent Investment Agency gathered a group of thought leaders for a conversation moderated by MLive at The Grand Rapids Press, including our CEO, Jacob Maas. The forum is part of Experience Sooner, a public awareness effort focused on elevating ...
Do you want to earn some extra cash for the holidays? Are you a college student looking for job over break? . Would you like to get your foot in the door with a new employer? Consider a seasonal job! Employers are hiring record numbers of seasonal ...
Manufacturers throughout West Michigan are gearing up for open houses and student tours that will showcase their facilities and career options. The tours are part of Manufacturing Week 2018, which runs from October 1-5, 2018. More than 100 manufacturers are expected to host more than 1,000 students during this year’s ...
Meet Nate: Nate had no work experience and a disability that made getting a job difficult. Through the Youth Employment Services program, Nate got an apprenticeship with a local electrical company after graduating from high school, attended community college and is on his way to a career in electrical engineering. ...
Since 2013 they have applied for and received millions of Going Pro Talent Fund dollars. The Going Pro Talent Fund (previously Skilled Trades Training Fund) provides competitive awards for short-term training that addresses documented skill deficits. Employers play an integral role in the Talent Fund program; they work with their ...
Were you a member of the US Armed Forces? If so, you and your spouse may qualify for priority of service and other individualized employment services through West Michigan Works! Veterans possess many of the soft skills that employers are seeking. Effective communication, teamwork, dependability, responsibility, multitasking and the ability ...
You don’t always remember what they say, but you remember how they make you feel. The people we encounter throughout our day have the ability to improve our lives one interaction at a time. In their various roles in service industry jobs Jen, Dave and Chris interact with many people ...
We recently sat down with Linden, a talent development instructor at West Michigan Works!, to talk about workshops for job seekers. Linden has been teaching workshops for five years and his favorite workshop to teach is Job Search Techniques. Here’s what we learned about what makes this workshop his favorite. ...
Apprenticeships have long played a major role in training America’s skilled workers, combining classroom learning, on-the-job training and wages that increase as skills are learned. Apprentices not only get paid while learning the skills for a high-demand job, they earn a nationally recognized industry certification. With all these benefits, it’s ...
Collaboration aligns labor supply with employer demand Much of the work being done to address talent demand issues is happening through industry sector collaboration, or industry councils. Councils bring together employers, workforce agencies and other partners such as training institutions and economic development agencies to create regional, sector-specific workforce strategies. ...
L to R: Lelah Christiansen, Shanitra Reed, Samantha Gonzales, Melonie Rodriguez, Gina Mancha Five women put on red caps and gowns, sharing smiles and stories about the past 18 weeks they experienced together. They are the first students to complete and graduate the Sterile Processing Registered Apprenticeship program: Lelah Christiansen, ...
The Michigan Works! service center in Hastings added General Educational Development (GED) testing center to its list of services. The site will offer monthly testing dates for Barry County residents who are looking to earn the equivalent of a high school diploma and improve their employment prospects. Passing a GED ...
Your first visit to a Michigan Works! service center might have been to register for work. Now that you’re registered for work and receiving unemployment benefits, it’s time to jump start your job search. We can help! What else does West Michigan Works! do? Job search: West Michigan employers are ...
Celena Mancina, Grand Circus and Brandon Brown, Meridan West Michigan’s IT industry is one of the fastest growing in the nation. With a growth rate +6.5% over the national average, employers are concerned about finding enough talent to fill their job openings. On Thursday, June 21, West Michigan Tech Talent ...
IT Apprenticeship is a win-win for local employer and employee Last year, Community West Credit Union realized they needed to add a Help Desk Specialist to their IT Team. At the same time, current marketing employee, Sandy, began studying computer science to transition into the IT field. Through grant funding ...
It’s really easy to get discouraged or depressed during your job search. Here are five ways to keep your job search upbeat and successful. Connect with past co-workers. Let them know you are on the hunt. You’ll be surprised how many are willing to help. Volunteer. Use your free time ...
Please note the following changes to the unemployment process in response to COVID-19. Until further notice: West Michigan Works! has cancelled non-essential services such as workshops, orientations, hiring events and other group activities. All unemployment claims can currently be filed online at Michigan.gov/UIA or by calling 1-866-500-0017. You are NOT required to ...
D’Angelo Green will graduate from Muskegon Heights High School Academy with a very bright future. But the outlook hasn’t always been so positive. A bleak future At the start of his senior year, D’Angelo lacked the essentials needed for graduation and success beyond high school: credits, motivation, maturity and basic ...
Please note the following changes to the unemployment process in response to COVID-19. Until further notice: West Michigan Works! has cancelled non-essential services such as workshops, orientations, hiring events and other group activities. All unemployment claims can currently be filed online at Michigan.gov/UIA or by calling 1-866-500-0017. You are NOT required to ...
Non-Traditional Ways to Develop Talent Pipelines & Diversify Your Workforce It seems these days everyone is talking about how unemployment rates across the country are at a historical low. While this factor may indicate a healthy economy, what does it mean for companies who need qualified workers? Employers may need ...
Have you seen our monthly series on Facebook, Ask a Career Coach? We're traveling to our service centers to sit down with a career coach LIVE to give you a chance to ask job search-related questions. This month we visited the Holland Service Center. In this video, Mark talks about: ...
by Jane Kreha, Director of Marketing Muskegon CNA graduates West Michigan Works! and its program partner, Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI), graduated two classes of Certified Nurse Aids (CNAs) this May. In ceremonies in Muskegon and Grand Rapids, 13 individuals were pinned and are now ready to begin their ...
Going PRO apprenticeship readiness participants with their new employers Program matches young adults with manufacturing employers Wednesday, May 30 was “signing day” for six Allegan residents eager to begin careers in manufacturing. The individuals, a mix of recent high school graduates and young adults seeking a career pathway, are participants ...
Are you a young adult in West Michigan? Are you working hard but feel like it's not getting you anywhere? We want to hear from you! Take our short survey and be entered to win one of two Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones (worth $300!). Take the Survey
Are you ready to get the skills to succeed in one of the fastest growing industries in our state? West Michigan construction companies need qualified talent, and that need is only expected to grow. It is estimated that the construction industry will need 9,000 new employees each year in Michigan. ...
The West Michigan Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship Program (MARAP) combines classroom learning, simulation learning and work experience with a participating healthcare provider. As a student in this one-year program, you will: graduate with a Medical Assistant Certificate of Completion, a certificate of completion of apprenticeship from the US Department of ...
Kimberly Stein, HR Manager Recco Filters makes wire mesh fuel, hydraulic and pneumatic filters for the aerospace, fluid power and other industries. They've received multiple customer awards for quality. Recco is currently hiring for several positions, so we chatted with their HR manager, Kimberly Stein, about these opportunities. What makes ...
Haworth, furniture manufacturer headquartered in Holland, Michigan, will be at Allegan and Ottawa Service Centers this week because they're hiring! We sat down with one of their recruiters, Valerie Reimus to hear more about the company and open positions. Thanks for joining us today! Can you introduce yourself? I am Valerie ...
Build a Skilled Workforce With Training Funds Low unemployment levels mean today’s job-seeker pool is at historically low levels. Yet, employers still have jobs they need to fill. West Michigan Works! can connect employers to a variety of services to address their talent needs, including access to workforce training funds. ...
On April 25, more than 9,500 students from 85 middle and high schools throughout Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon and Ottawa counties learned about future career opportunities at MiCareerQuest 2018. Student attendees participated in interactive exhibits and conversations with 117 area employers. "Most often career fairs don't include civil ...
Anna Trujillo was referred to West Michigan Works! after returning to Michigan from California in August 2017. Anna was worried about finding employment; she didn’t have a credential, interview clothing, transportation funds or a Michigan driver's license and registration. She needed a way to support herself and her three children. ...
Employers offer short phone interviews now more than ever before. These interviews help hiring managers decide which candidates to invite to a longer, in-person interview. More than half of what a person says is communicated through body language and non-verbal cues. During a phone interview, the hiring manager can only ...
Since 2015, the State of Michigan has dedicated millions of dollars for grants to help employers train their workforce. Availability of Skilled Trades Training Funds has been approved on an annual basis to date, but pending legislation will provide long-term operation of the funding program. Under Senate Bill 946, the ...
A statewide training program is using the principles of supply chain management to ensure Michigan has a steady supply of qualified talent. Consumers Energy Co. and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation are training leaders of Michigan chambers of commerce, economic and workforce development organizations and nonprofits to be the ...
Passion meets culture is a message heard throughout Sunset Retirement Communities & Services. Staff make a difference in the lives of their residents through exceptional customer service and a heart for their mission. To hear what it's like to work at Sunset, meet Carol. Name: Carol Holwerda Position: Talent Acquisition ...
Students and employers gathered at the Muskegon Career Tech Center for the Student Showcase, the last step of the Linked Muskegon program. Linked is an 18-week training course in machining, welding or health sciences open to people of all ages who are looking for a new career. Michael Minton, CNC ...
Fogg Filler is a family owned business in Holland, Michigan that designs and manufactures rotary filling systems. Their machines are used to fill containers for a growing number of industries throughout the world including dairy, water, food and beverage, and pharmaceutical. The company strives to combine skilled ...
Know before you go! Meet one of the employers attending the Holland Job Fair on Tuesday, March 13. Chick-fil-A in Holland is looking for team members. We sat down over coffee and egg white grill sandwiches to talk with their talent coordinator, Melissa Wayne, about opportunities for job seekers. Why ...
Whether you’re employed and looking for a new job, thinking about a new career or applying for unemployment insurance, use these tips to make the most of your visit to a Michigan Works! service center. (See a list of all ten locations here.) 1. Bring your resume After checking in, ...
Editor’s Note: This is the final in a four-part series about how to answer common interview questions. See part 1, part 2 and part 3. The interview is a time for you to make yourself stand out from other candidates. Asking thoughtful questions during the interview can set you apart ...
Hiring, training and employment successes celebrated at annual Impact Awards State leadership and lawmakers came together this week to honor west Michigan leaders for their efforts to create jobs and develop talent in their communities. Legislators and talent development officials recognized Muskegon resident Michael Minton, Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, ...
Editor’s Note: This is the third in a four-part series about how to answer common interview questions. Read part 1 and part 2. An interviewer may ask the following questions to get some insight into your motivations, attitudes and professional goals. Why are you looking to leave your current job? ...
Over the next three years, Christman Construction and its subcontractors will hire hundreds of individuals for the Mercy Health medical center construction project in Muskegon. A regional initiative is working with these employers and other community partners to recruit, hire, train, and retain talent from the urban core of Muskegon ...
After the interviewer asks you a couple questions to get to know you a little better (see our first article for tips), they might move to questions about why you are a good fit for the job. Here are a few common questions and strong answers to help you prepare ...
Chet Wiersma on break fairlife's break room With steeled toe boots and a hair net, Chet Wiersma is ready for a 12-hour shift as a packaging operator at fairlife, a health food company with a milk production facility in Coopersville that produces and markets great tasting, nutrient-dense milk products. Here’s ...
2017 winner Adela Miranda, Hampton Inn Holland Every day thousands of service workers perform tasks that make our days a little brighter, our businesses running smoother, our experiences more memorable. Nine such individuals were recognized with Essential Service Awards during a meeting of the Economic Club of Grand Rapids on ...
More than 1100 students participate in Hour of Code event West Michigan's IT industry is one of the fastest growing in the nation with a growth rate +6.5% over the national average. And the increasing use of technology in the workforce is creating a growing need for IT workers across ...
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a four-part series about how to answer common interview questions. The Interview: Answers to Common Questions You did it. You nailed your resume and cover letter. You networked with the right people and found great references. Now you have to prepare for the ...
Health care is a hot industry in West Michigan (See the hottest health care jobs in the 2018 Hot Jobs list!). There are more jobs than candidates, so employers are creating new ways to help people jump into a health care career quickly. You can start a health care career ...
Employees at Alliance Home Health Care Services don’t just get a paycheck - they change peoples’ lives. Individuals who work here become part of clients’ lives, often assisting them through physically or emotionally tough times. Home Health Aides visit clients to help with personal care, meals and light housework. The ...
Publication Provides Snapshot of Region's Workforce Needs West Michigan Works! released this week its 2018 Hot Jobs list. The list contains the 100 top jobs in the region’s high-growth industries. For the seven-county West Michigan region, the highest demand is concentrated in health sciences and manufacturing. High-demand occupations are defined ...
Yolanda "Pretty" Marble hugs a student at Muskegon Community College's Grab-n-Go When you walk by the Grab-n-Go at Muskegon Community College, there will probably be a group of students hanging around. Not because they have the best pizza in the town, but because of the woman who runs the café. ...
Collaboration key to solving the region's workforce challenges The 2017 fiscal year found West Michigan Works! continuing to grow, change and improve as a regional entity. A focus on cost-cutting and innovative approaches to programmatic services led to direct service delivery for Allegan, Barry, Ionia, and Montcalm counties. This, plus ...
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! Meet one of the recruiters attending Paragon D&E's hiring event on Thursday, December 14. Name: Britteny Willis Position: HR Representative Company: Paragon D&E When you meet a job seeker at a hiring event, what questions do you want them to ask you? Here are some of ...
Know before you go. Get to know one of the employers attending the Second Chance Job Fair. Meet Ramona Saftuic. She's a Human Resources Generalist at Rapid-Line. Why is Rapid-Line conviction-friendly? We are here for more than making money. We want to engage the community and provide equal opportunity employment to ...
During times of low unemployment, there is a critical need to upskill the current workforce to meet the growing talent needs of employers. Skilled Trade Training Fund grants address the skills gap by funding training opportunities for the current workforce. The grants create a win-win situation - when employers invest ...
Pictured from left: Craig Stolsonburg – Business Solutions Representative, West Michigan Works!; Kerry Boulter – Training Coordinator, Flexfab; Kevin Trahan – Maintenance Technician, Flexfab Hastings manufacturer, Flexfab, leveraged workforce training funds to help cover the cost of long-time employee Kevin Trahan’s certification in Managing Industrial Networks for Manufacturing. Tapping into ...
A view from above MiCareerQuest 2017 taken from a hydraulic lift in the construction sector MiCareerQuest is a unique, hands-on career exploration event that exposes over 9,000 West Michigan middle and high school students to exciting job opportunities in high-demand industries. Kids, teachers and guidance counselors meet with local employers ...
Influx of training dollars critical during times of low unemployment The Talent Investment Agency for the state of Michigan announced today its Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF) awards for FY 2018. Since 2013, the STTF has injected millions of dollars into the Michigan economy for short-term training in high-demand occupations. ...
If you or someone you know is in West Michigan for the Thanksgiving holiday, you won’t want to miss ReThink West Michigan. On November 22nd, 2017 companies and non-profit organizations with open positions are coming together to convince you to live and work in West Michigan. Events will be held ...
The Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship Program in West Michigan is helping health care providers fill a critical shortage of talent and has been saluted as national Promising Practice by the U.S. Department of Labor. The department listed Michigan along with programs in Wisconsin and Idaho as states with apprenticeship programs that ...
Service centers will offer workshops, resource fairs and hiring events with veteran focus During the week of Nov. 6, West Michigan Works! service centers will honor those who served in the military by offering job search services and events with a focus on veterans. “We serve veterans every day, but ...
Board will look to innovative solutions to meet employer demand and provide job opportunities for all West Michigan Works! announced this week the nomination of the agency’s workforce board chair and vice chair. David Smith, president and CEO of The Employers’ Association, and Cindy Brown, executive director of Hello West ...
Discover Manufacturing, a partnership between West Michigan Works!, education providers, economic developers and manufacturers, celebrated Manufacturing Day on Friday, October 6. The national initiative started in 2012 to expose middle and high school students to job opportunities in manufacturing. In West Michigan, the day has stretched to a week and ...
The Michigan Construction Foundation (MCF) recently released Michigan’s Construction Industry: By the Numbers that reports on Michigan construction industry labor data. "We are focused on finding more workers for construction employers," says Brindley Byrd, Executive Director of the Michigan Construction Foundation (MCF), "and because of that, we looked at available data on ...
Certifications will allow Allegan health care facility to impact community for years to come Ely Manor Nursing & Rehabilitation Center was awarded $17,320 in Skilled Trades Training Funds (STFF) earlier this year. The state funds, administered through Michigan Works!, help Michigan employers train and develop staff. West Michigan Works! representative, ...
FACT: By 2020 there will be an estimated 1.4 million tech jobs in the US but only 400,000 people to fill those roles. In West Michigan software developers, systems analysts and information security professionals are anticipated to have job growth of over 20% in the next 10 years. West Michigan Works! ...
West Michigan Provider Honored for Innovative Approaches to Talent Development, Career Pathways Mercy Health was honored at a statewide workforce conference today for its commitment to developing a pipeline of skilled and competent health care talent in the state. Named the Michigan Works! Association 2017 Employer of the Year, Mercy Health ...
KL Outdoor (KLO), which manufactures Sun Dolphin Kayaks, has chosen Muskegon as the location for its global headquarters. The company will be investing $9.2 million and creating 153 jobs over the next two to three years. West Michigan Works! will assist KLO with training and hiring. READ MORE MLive: World’s largest ...
Five reasons why employers should participate It’s a fact: 37.5 million baby boomers will retire in the next decade and only 21 million workers will enter the workforce to replace them. (2015 Skills Gap report, Deloitte) To address the future shortage of talent, a regional collaboration of employers and ISDs ...
With the State of Michigan’s approval of another year of funding for the Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF), West Michigan Works! is encouraging employers who hope to receive funding to attend upcoming information sessions to ensure their applications are complete and competitive. Since 2013, the STTF has injected millions of ...
Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Michigan Talent and Economic Development Director Roger Curtis were in Grand Rapids on Monday to learn more about the success of a health care apprenticeship program in West Michigan. The Medical Assistant Registered Apprenticeship Program (MARAP) was created in ...
Talent 2025 recently released their Labor Force Participation Rate research brief. The rate is an important measure of the health of the economy. While the unemployment rate measures the number of individuals who are not working and looking for work as a proportion of the number of individuals in the labor force, the ...
SUPPORT WORKFORCE FUNDING The President has recognized that there are millions of vacant jobs in the country, and he says he wants to get people back to work. But this budget says otherwise. With proposed program eliminations and reductions just shy of $1 billion, it would seriously undercut our system's ...
Is your company interested in developing a registered apprenticeship program? Why do it alone? Apprenticeships have been used to train labor and address critical talent needs for over 75 years. West Michigan Works! is now part of a statewide initiative to expand apprenticeship programs. By acting as a liaison with ...
On Tuesday, July 11, 2017, West Michigan Works!, in partnership with Muskegon Community College (MCC), unveiled their new certified nurse assistant (CNA) learning lab. The lab features medical equipment, human manikins and a smart board for students in the CNA program at MCC. The lab in Muskegon is the third ...
On July 3, the West Michigan Works! Service Center in Barry County opened its doors in a new location. The opening was formally recognized at an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony on July 12. Attendees included Mayor Tossava, Barry County Commissioner Ben Geiger, Barry County Chamber president and board ...
The Grand Rapids Community Foundation recently awarded $20,000 in grant funding to support boot camp technology training for local employees. The grant will provide low-wage employees, who face barriers to professional development, the opportunity to learn the technology skills employers need. Participants will learn skills such as software coding and business analysis. ...
West Michigan Works! has partnered with the Michigan Career and Technical Institute (MCTI) to help fill talent gaps in health care and provide new opportunities for job seekers who experience barriers to employment. A 13-week long CNA course provides no-cost training to those wanting to enter the field or needing ...
A Message from the CEO According to the president's 2018 budget priorities, the administration is requesting $9.6 billion for the Department of Labor, a $2.5 billion (21 percent) decrease from the 2017 annualized CR (Continued Resolution) level. Some of our community partners will be impacted by these cuts. While West Michigan ...
Dee-Tails was the perfect spot for jobseeker, Alahna. She loves dogs and Dee-Tails is a full time, cage-free dog daycare, grooming and boarding business. They have a large outside fenced in play yard and an inside playroom as well. Both were designed specifically for the safety and comfort of the ...
Milacron LLC, a manufacturer of plastic injection molding equipment, will be consolidating locations this summer. The decision will result in a $5 million investment in its Greenville facility and the addition of up to 70 new jobs. A collaboration between regional partners, including Montcalm Community College, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center ...
West Michigan Works! is proud to announce the location of a new affiliate site in Rockford. North Kent Community Services (NKCS), located at 10075 Northland Dr NE, is the largest food pantry and resource center in Northern Kent County. Michigan Works! staff will now be available at NKCS on Mondays and ...
West Michigan Works! has announced the promotion of Allise Wilkerson to Manager of its service center in Ottawa County. Wilkerson has been with Michigan Works! since 2010 and brings a wealth of program and managerial experience to her new position. She began her career working with job seekers in the ...
Trudy Brenner inside the CNA classroom at the Westside Service Center in Grand Rapids The Westside Service Center now opens its doors to job seekers, employers and nursing manikins. A cohort of 11 adults are enrolled in a 13-week certified nursing assistant (CNA) course at the service center and will ...
West Michigan Works! recently announced the release of its “2017 Hot Jobs List,” which contains 100 high-demand careers in the region’s top growing industries: construction, manufacturing, information technology, health sciences, agriculture and professional and administrative services. The Hot Jobs Lists provides a regional look at in-demand occupations; those with significant ...
California Closets, a California-based custom storage manufacturer and retailer, has chosen to open a new manufacturing facility in Cascade Township. The company is expected to invest over $5.7 million in the new facility and create 61 new jobs. The company chose the West Michigan location over other sites in Illinois, ...
Essential Service Award Winners (left to right) back row: Dave Janes, Michael VanHouten, Kelly Brinker, Dave Smith - Chair of the West Michigan Works! Workforce Development Board, front row: Yolanda Marble, Terry White, Julio Ignacio Caballero, Linda El (not pictured: Shela Jones, Lisa Vanderlaan and the staff at Martin Marathon) ...
Career Exploration Event Introduces Youth to In-Demand Careers “The exhibits were like real life job experiences,” said a middle school student. “I thought we were just going to listen to a whole bunch of speakers, but I like how you guys changed it up!” On Thursday, April 13, 2017, ...